Taking the silver was Satomi Suzuki of Japan (2:20.72). Soni had broken the world record on Wednesday night in the semifinals, going 2:20.00.

She referenced the inspiration from an early mentor.

"I'm so excited. I did it!" Soni said in an interview with the BBC on the pool deck. "Oh my gosh, I've been chasing that for years and years. That was my coach, back when I was in high school, who told me I was going to go 2:19. I've been keeping that to myself as a secret goal."